Transnet on Tuesday instituted a lock-out, effective Monday, against striking members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) at its Ngqura Container Terminal, outside Port Elizabeth.

This comes as “violence, thuggery and intimidation” besieged the Numsa-led “no-work-no-pay” strike that started on April 25 in protest at Transnet’s approach to manning levels, transport subsidies and the use of labour brokers.

Those participating in the industrial action would not be allowed to return to work until the trade union withdrew its demands.

Numsa did not have sufficient members to qualify for organisational rights at Transnet, as it only represented 124 of the more than 500 workers at Ngqura, well below the 30% recognition required.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and Utatu Sarwhu, which was formed after a merger between the United Transport and Allied Trade Union and the South Africa Railways and Harbour Union in 2012, met the requirements.

Members of the two unions, which currently represented around 80% of the workers in the bargaining unit, continued working.

“We have activated our contingency plans in line with business continuity management processes. These are intended to ensure that there is minimum disruption to all port users and customers. We are currently assessing the impact of the strike,” Transnet said.

However, the State-owned company reported the petrol bombing, stoning, vandalising and burning of the houses and properties belonging to employees that decided not to strike.

“This is unacceptable and we have heightened our security to ensure the safety of our colleagues, those who have chosen not to take part in the strike action, our assets and the assets of third parties on our premises,” the company said, offering a R100 000 bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Numsa Eastern Cape regional secretary Phumzile Nodongwe said that no reports of violent or intimidating behaviour from its members had emerged.